The location of the vehicles, as well as damage to a fence, meant it could not open on Monday.

Wigan Council worked with the police and the school to evict the travellers.

Bailiffs issued an eviction notice on Monday morning and they moved on that day.

However, the school remained closed on Tuesday for the clean-up operation.

Paul Barton, director for environmental services at Wigan Council, said: “The unauthorised traveller encampment on the land next to St Thomas’ school in Golborne has now left the area and our street scene team are currently on site to clean up, repair the fence and secure the site.

“The school will remain closed on Tuesday until cleansing is complete but will reopen on Wednesday.

“We would like to thank local residents for their co-operation.”

The school has thanked residents offering to help clean up and asked that they instead donate towards rebuilding the damaged reception class garden.

They are seeking buckets, spades, cars and diggers for the sandpit, kitchen utensils and pans for a mud kitchen, and plants, seeds and bulbs.